Feel Good Work

Last nite I spent two hours working as part of the large grants committee at work. We have an employee foundation, which employees donate money to, and then we give it away to charitable organizations. We give away small grants which are up to $5k and large grants which are up to $40k. Since this is my first year at work, this is my first experience and it was incredibly inspiring.

So this is how it works. Organizations write a grant proposal and submit it to us. That proposal is very indepth, including information on their board, budget, metrics, etc. Then they come in and spend 10 minutes talking to us and answering any questions we have. With them is the employee who is championing the cause. The employee adds information about why they work with the charity and what their experience is. Some of the employees actually used the services of the charity and some are just volunteers.

The organitzations that came in were amazing.

There was a group that helps kids after they "age out" of foster care. They help kids learn how to write checks, get an apartment, grocery shop, etc. That is the stuff that parents usually teach kids, but kids who are shuffled around the foster care system, don't get that. Plus, when they turn 18, there are no longer any services for them, so they are basically thrown out on the street. This organization brought in a kid who they are helping and he told us his story and how much they have helped him. WHOA! I was ready to bring him home with me.

There was another organization that had a program called "Dare to Dream", which goes into classrooms in low income schools and teaches curriculum about goal setting and going to college. They target kids who have no one talking to them about their dreams and how to achieve those dreams.

Another organization helps kids from S. Central Los Angeles preparing them for SAT tests and taking them on college tours. They target kids who will be the first in their families to every attend college. The champion of this group was an alumni of this program and she is now a well educated, gainfully employeed young woman.

My experience sitting on this committee was one of those that bring clarity to your life. It made me clearly understand how fortunate I am -- and my family is. We have health, wealth and love. And I don't mean wealth as being rich - I mean wealth as in we have every thing we could possibly need and want. We have the ability to get the kids braces, have them go to private school, get educational therapy, etc. And there are kids out there that don't have someone telling them that they can go to college...or should even go to school everyday.

Count your blessings and help others who don't have those blessings. Help with money and time because no matter how busy you are or how tight your budget is, there are MANY people who would be happy to be in your position.